Tonight will set the stage for Round 1 of the 2019 Playoffs.
A season after being swept in the first round, Salmon Arm has a chance to exact revenge against the Vernon Vipers. In the regular season, it was the Silverbacks side getting bragging rights with five wins in six games. It was an extremely close series though, with Salmon Arm outscoring the Vipers just 17-15 in six games. Take away two overtime goals for Salmon Arm, and during regulation the two teams were split right down the middle with fifteen goals each.
One key for Salmon Arm tonight will be the penalty kill. Of the 15 goals Vernon scored, seven of them came when up a man this season. The Silverback’s had the sixth best PK in the league this season, and will need to get off to a good start while the team as a whole needs to stay out of the box.
Tonight should be an emotional game with lots of energy as a number of Silverback fans are expected down in Kal Tire Place. The Vipers were a division worst 12-11-5-2 on home ice, so the visiting fans will be hoping they have lots to cheer for.
Players to Watch:
Silverbacks: Returning from last year’s group, Trevor Adams led Salmon Arm in points this season against the Vipers. One of three Silverbacks to score a trio of goals against Vernon this year, Adams had four assists to lead all players this season in head to head points with seven. In goal, Ethan Langenegger will need to be stellar for Salmon Arm. He was a huge part of the team’s success this year against Vernon allowing just eight goals on 114 shots.
Vipers: Tonight marks the fist game of the season Logan Cash will play against the Salmon Arm Silverbacks. The Vermont commit had three points in ten games before missing over three months with an injury. Since returning, he has eight points in ten games. It’s unsure if he’ll play tonight, but Lane Zablocki is a Detroit Red Wings who has torn it up since coming to the Vipers from the WHL. In 11 games he has six goals and five assists, but missed the last three weeks with the team.
Around the League:
Only one other Interior Division series kicks off tonight. Cowichan started in Penticton last night beating the Vees in Game 1. Tonight just a few hours away from Vernon, the Merritt Centennials host the Trail Smoke Eaters. With an event going on in the Town Toyota Center, Wenatchee won’t start their series against West Kelowna until tomorrow night.
TUNE IN:
Watch on HockeyTV…. HERE
Listen on 91.5 EZ Rock…. HERE
